It’s safe to say that dentistry and social media trends are about as far apart as a ring light and a dental drill! While social media trends are usually about catchy dances or the latest beauty fad, dentistry seems to belong in an entirely different world with patient charts and professional expertise. Yet, there are times when a trend like “mewing” comes along and unexpectedly bridges the gap, putting a very real dental topic right in the middle of the viral spotlight. As with any other viral trend, it is important to check the veracity and safety of the claims.
What is Mewing
Mewing is a beauty trend in which you have to position your tongue against the roof of your mouth instead of resting on the bottom of your mouth. Your entire tongue should be flattened against your palette with the tip of your tongue just behind, but not touching, your upper front teeth. You have to maintain this position while keeping your jaw relaxed for as long as possible and preferably throughout your day. Proponents of mewing claim that it can do everything from give you a chiseled jaw and straighten your teeth to improve your breathing and correct orthodontic issues without braces. However, most oral health care experts, including orthodontists, point to the fact that there is no evidence to support the claims and that there are mewing health risks that people should consider.
5 Mewing Myths Debunked
- Mewing can Straighten your Teeth in Months
There is no evidence to support the claim that mewing can straighten your teeth even with years of continuous practice! However, just for argument’s sake, let’s put aside the lack of evidence for mewing and consider how long it takes to straighten teeth with conventional methods – treatment with traditional metal braces takes between one and two years, while clear aligners take under two years, and lingual braces can take up to 3 years. When you consider that all of these methods apply a lot of pressure over a long period of time to move your teeth into place, you can see why it is just not possible for mewing to straighten your teeth in months.
- Mewing is a “Natural Cure” for an Overbite or Underbite
Bite problems, either overbite or underbite, occur when your upper teeth and lower teeth do not align well or fit together. Bite problems are the most common reason for referral to an orthodontist, as this is a structural problem that is caused by tooth position, jaw alignment or growth issues. Theoretically, it is possible that mewing might stop problems like tongue thrust, which is where you constantly push your tongue against your teeth, which may cause your teeth to protrude slightly. However, mewing cannot change an overbite or underbite, and it is not a substitute for braces or aligners.
- Mewing is Natural, so there’s no harm in trying it
If you are practicing mewing for just a few minutes at a time, it is unlikely to cause any severe damage. However, most social media posts about mewing urge people to do it for hours at a time and that the more they do it, the sooner they will get results. Forcing yourself to hold a jaw position for hours can cause problems, especially TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain) or jaw joint pain or headaches. It could also cause tooth movement if it is done incorrectly, so this is not a “risk-free” method.
- Mewing will Remodel your Jawbone for a Chiseled Jawline
Our facial bones are mature, which is why they are resistant to low-grade pressure, such as the pressure from your tongue while mewing. This is why it is impossible for mewing to “remodel” your jaw and give you a chiseled jawline. If you have a severe problem with your jawline, you will need orthognathic surgery. The first step is to find the right orthodontist who will work with a maxillofacial surgeon to significantly reshape your jawbone.
- Dentists Don’t Want People to Use Inexpensive Treatments like Mewing
Proponents of mewing often say that dentists and orthodontists don’t want people to use inexpensive treatments so that they can make more money. This could not be further from the truth since all oral health care experts constantly remind their patients that prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure and that they should brush their teeth and floss regularly. Dentists also often recommend ways to treat swollen gums and other minor dental issues at home – methods like salt water rinses to kill bacteria and a cold compress to reduce swelling. The reason why dentists have issues with mewing is not because it is free but because it is not an evidence-based treatment.